getting back in the game...

I've been dormant for a while because my blue 9c1 was off the road. Well, it still is. But I got another one to run for a while.

I have changed my avatar picture to the new[er] car.

Steve

MASShole9C1

Posts : 4211Join date : 2009-12-16

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:51 pm

Nice! I like the PO3 caps!

V8Killer

Posts : 1690Join date : 2009-03-12Age : 45Location : Southern, NH

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Wed Jun 24, 2015 3:13 pm

MASShole9C1 wrote:

Nice! I like the PO3 caps!

Want some? I have two complete sets..........

MASShole9C1

Posts : 4211Join date : 2009-12-16

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Wed Jun 24, 2015 4:27 pm

V8Killer wrote:

MASShole9C1 wrote:

Nice! I like the PO3 caps!

Want some? I have two complete sets..........

Nope. Unless they're free

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:31 pm

The car was originally purchased for the Concord (NH) Police Dept. The last assignment this car had prior to going to the private sector was a DARE car. They painted the car Marblehead had the DARE logo and and image of Tony the Tiger on the hood. When I got the car this June, the graphics had been removed, but some of the the clearcoat came off too (that's how I could see Tony).

I happened to have a Marblehead hood sitting around (a long story that I won't go into here) that matches pretty well. As an added bonus, this hood also has the flat LTZ hood badge. But the previous owner of that hood painted the bottom half of the badge to cover up the word CAPRICE. I'd like it back. Any suggestions?

MalibuSSwagon

Posts : 576Join date : 2013-06-17Age : 32Location : Weare, NH

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Mon Jun 29, 2015 7:40 pm

looks like cheap paint on the badge that could be cleaned off with lacquer thinner, or maybe even steel wool if you dont like to use solvent.

MASShole9C1

Posts : 4211Join date : 2009-12-16

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Mon Jun 29, 2015 8:29 pm

Yup. Try thinner. Maybe dilute it first and dab it with a rag.

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Tue Jun 30, 2015 12:32 pm

Steel wool won't scratch the crap out of it? I'm also concerned about chemicals clouding or otherwise ruining it or the paint.

I don't think I would use steel wool. It will definitely scratch, even if you use fine.

Tom

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Tue Jun 30, 2015 5:20 pm

I ended up using on of those abrasive pads to get the paint off, then the buffing wheel from my headlight restore kit (for yellowed/clouded headlights) to restore the glossy shine.

Thanks

Mods so far:Wheel coversOFF switch with trunk releaseLTZ hood badgeFuel bibHood swap (no more Tony the Tiger)Replaced the spotlight head with a black plastic one.Blacked out the tail light chrome (to mach the already black bumper trim and door handles)

In the wings:1LE elbow9C1 wheels with bolt-on centers

Last edited by booth9C1SS on Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:37 pm; edited 2 times in total

MASShole9C1

Posts : 4211Join date : 2009-12-16

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Tue Jun 30, 2015 6:09 pm

booth9C1SS wrote:

I ended up using on of those abrasive pads to get the paint off, then the buffing wheel from my headlight restore kit (for yellowed/clouded headlights) to restore the glossy shine.

Thanks

Assuming it came out good, pics?

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Tue Jun 30, 2015 7:42 pm

MASShole9C1

Posts : 4211Join date : 2009-12-16

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Tue Jun 30, 2015 8:10 pm

booth9C1SS wrote:

Hey! Alright! Looks factory fresh no. Great job.

No Moa

Posts : 3871Join date : 2009-02-21Age : 44Location : Midcoast Maine

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Thu Jul 02, 2015 5:35 pm

Whole car picks would be nice steve. lol

Matt Trakker

Posts : 5075Join date : 2009-07-30Age : 35Location : Reading, MA

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Thu Jul 02, 2015 8:51 pm

LOL...why did someone paint the badge?

I was going to suggest what you did...glad to see it came out nice! Moar pics!

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Sun Aug 09, 2015 4:18 pm

I was noticing more and more exhaust noise. When I finally decided that this was definitely too noisy I looked under the car and saw the muffler hanging. The intermediate pipe rusted completely at the muffler.

What a great opportunity to get dual exhaust.

When I removed the rest of the stock stuff I saw the the rear resonator had a large crack/hole in the leading end (where the pipe enters) and the rest of the y-pipe was like swiss cheese. I'm glad I didn't just try to repair it (or pay to have repaired).

I ended up getting a jegs performance exhaust from ebay. The car doesn't leak any more, it sounds awesome, and I think it freed up some ponies. While it's only a 4.3l car, it can breathe better. Stock everything exits through a single crimp curved 2" pipe. Now it's two 2.5" mandrel bent pipes and two turbo - type mufflers.

But installing it in a dirt driveway and no lift wasn't a whole lot of fun.

Steve

Glen, I'll post picks soon.

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Sun Aug 09, 2015 5:04 pm

MancheSSterJake

Posts : 79Join date : 2009-03-03Age : 40Location : Derry NH

Subject: badge Mon Aug 17, 2015 2:41 pm

Nice work!

booth9C1SS

Posts : 216Join date : 2009-01-24Age : 42Location : Wayne, ME

Subject: Re: getting back in the game... Mon Aug 17, 2015 7:09 pm

I haven't been really detailed about the car.

Since I got it in late June, I have:

Installed the police wheel covers over the plain black wheels

Replaced the spotlight head with a black one

Replaced both turn signal cancellation springs

Replaced the AM/FM radio with a AM/FM/CD radio with speed compensated volume

Installed Twilight Sentinal control

Installed the 9C1 trunk switch (I forget the SEO code) replacing the OFF. New has OFF and trunk release. right side of radio

Added civilian trunk carpeting

Added fuel bib

Installed the green dinger box. This is dings when you leave your lights on or the key in the ignition. Stock 9C1 is tan. Green adds feature that dings if the turn signal is left on for more than 1/2 mile. My car didn't have any dinger box at all (Concord NH PD removed it) and this is what I had.

Replaced the plain steel wheels and covers with the N97 wheels with center caps

Replaced hood and added LTZ hood badge

Utilizing the existing hole, swapped out the cosmetic antenna (on the trunklid) for one that is tuned for the 2M ham band, and installed a small ham radio. KC1BSS

Added T53 trunk lights

Swapped out the 9C1 vinyl seats for civilian cloth velour. Retaining manual driver and passenger seats for now. This added a sixth seating position up front (60/40) and gave me armrest for the rear passengers

Installed an electrochromatic (auto dimming) rear view mirror. This one has compass and exterior temp displayed athe the same time. I don't have the temp sensor installed yet

Painted the grill black to match the [already black] bumper trim. I still haven't decided if I like this or not.

Installed a sentina push bumper. The car had previously had one installed, and I happened to have one here.